Sav'ell Smalls Reveals Why He Ended His Colorado Buffaloes Career Early

It's now known why tight end Sav'ell Smalls was held out of the Colorado Buffaloes' final seven games of last season.

In an emotional post on social media, the graduate student revealed Tuesday that he began experiencing episodes of "temporary paralysis" in his arms and legs during fall camp, which later led to him being diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Instead of undergoing a spinal fusion that wouldn't guarantee an end to his symptoms, Smalls decided to medically retire in early October.

Sav'ell Smalls Health Ailment Ended Colorado Buffaloes Career College Football Tight End Deion Sanders Zach Atkins Coach Prim — Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes tight end Sav’ell Smalls (31) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Smalls, a former five-star defensive end prospect who began his college career with the Washington Huskies, transferred to Colorado before the 2023 season. After recording two tackles and a quarterback hurry in his first year with the Buffs, Smalls transitioned to tight end and hauled in nine passes for 68 yards and one touchdown in 2024.

With Zach Atkins seeing most of Colorado's snaps at tight end, Smalls was limited to special teams action this past season before medically retiring.

🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/2fYpWQLfaN
— Sav’ell Smalls 🧬 (@SavvySmalls_9) January 21, 2026

"I have always sacrificed for this game so despite my symptoms and knowing it could potentially be something serious, I kept my symptoms to myself and continued to play until week five when I had multiple episodes during that week of practice as well as the game," Smalls wrote. "That prompted me to alert our training staff.

"After having an MRI it was revealed I was born with spinal stenosis, a condition classified as a narrow spinal canal, causing nerves to compress which shuts off signals to the body. After receiving this diagnosis I talked to multiple doctors, and a spinal fusion was the only viable option to continue my career. However it was not guaranteed to stop my symptoms, and the risk of paralysis would still be high, so in early October I medically retired."

Smalls also shared that he began the season with hopes of reaching the NFL, but he'll now pivot to life after football.

Sav'ell Smalls' Impact on Colorado

Smalls showed promise at tight end in 2024, highlighted by a touchdown reception in Colorado's Alamo Bowl loss to BYU. However, he began last season behind Atkins on the tight end depth chart and was ultimately limited to 74 special teams snaps across five different units in his final college season.

"At any level of sports I've ever played, I always felt like you got to do what's best for the team or what the team asks of you," Smalls said. "I've never been scared to get my hands dirty or do the dirty work or sacrifice myself for the team."

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Sav'ell Smalls, who changed positions this offseason from DE to TE, has been solid in the blocking game so far this season.

Here is a rep from Shedeur's early TD pass to Travis where Sav'ell is lined up 1v1 vs Malachi Lawrence, who is a very solid edge rusher for UCF. pic.twitter.com/GfBNxINbYq
— Let’s Talk Buffs (@LetsTalkBuffs) October 1, 2024

Colorado's 2026 Outlook at Tight End

Looking ahead to next season, Colorado's tight end room is again expected to be led by Atkins, although the Buffs also landed former Northern Colorado standout Fisher Clements in the transfer portal. Freshmen Corbin Laisure and Zayne DeSouza remain in Boulder as well.